Montgomery County sentinel., 1887-03-11
ADyOURNMENT OF OONGREss.

ADJOUhNMEN1 or CONGRESS.
1t is a common thing for the press and
people to speak of every legislative body as
do-nothing assembly, and the rule has not
been violated in the case of Congress which
adjourned on the 4th instant by constitu-
tional limitation. Before 1t had been ia
session a month it was charged with negli-
gence and dilatoriness, and the cry against
1t has increased in volume as its end has
approached In spite of this detractisn,
however, it is to be borne in mind that the
Congress that has just gone the way Of its
predecessors has accomplished considerable
legislation Of importance. 1t has not dealt
with the great economical and financial
questions which are pressing for settlement,
but it has cleaned the desk of vast accu-
mutation of smaller matter quite as import
ant in their way and which it was desirable
to have disposed of before the more serious
issues were taken up.
For good or i'll this Congress has legis-
lated upon the question of interstate COM
merce, upon the manufacturers of olsemar-
garine, upon the trade dollar, upon the
presidential succession, upon the method OF
counting the electoral vote, upon the lapsed
land grants, upon the new navy, upon the
defense of the harbors and coasts, upon the
fishery dispute, upon the Mexican pensions,
and upon many other questions of less mo-
ment. Very extrayagant schemes have &C.
cuPied a vast amount of attention, and in
one or two cases important bills have passed
which this Congress has failed 10 enact
into laws over the Executive veto. The
educational grab, the enormous appropria-
tions for defensive works, and for ships and
guns, were all lost, as they deserved to be.
With the adjournment also closed the
careers, in all probability, of several con-
spicuous men in the Senats-they were Har-
rison, of Indiana; Conger, of Michigan; Nc
MILAN, of Minnesota; Van Wyck, of Ne
braska; Sewell, of New Jersey; Miller, Of
New York; Mitchell, Of Pennsylvania, and
Malone, Of Virginia.
The men who closed their membership
in the House Of Representatives were OF
greater reputation than the outgoing Sena-
tors Gov. Curtin, OF Pennsylvania, retires
to private life after long and useful SER
vice in both of the political parties, but the
Pennsylvania delegation gains something as
an offset TO his loss by the appearance In il
of Gov. Buckalsw. The same is true of the
New York delegation. While Abram s.
Hewitt disappears, Samuel s. Cox comes
again to the front. Mr.. Hiscock, leng q
prominent Republican member, is trans
ierred to the Senate, as is also James II
Reagan, Democrat, of Texas From the
Illinois delegation VIM. B. Morrison, fol
ten years leader Of the tariff reform Demo
Gratis, will be missed, and in the Wisconsin
delegation Gen. Bragg, the foe Of dishonest
pensions, will not be seen. Timothy Camp
bell will ne longer figure in the New York
representation.
And here, it Is not cut Of place TO remark
observing with what facility the sentiments
of the people are given expression in the
monarchies Of the old world, it cannot bui
be regretted that Congress elected foul
months ago will be denied an opportunity
for assembling until next December. The
German parliamentary elections were held
week ago last Monday, and the body then
chosen is now in session. While the Ameri-
cans retain the arrangement which prscludes
the meeting Of their representatives until
thirteen months after their election it will.
be found more and more difficult to secure
legislation in the interest Of the masses. BY
that time the excitement and even the issues
Of the campaign have been forgotten, and in
the clamor Of the lobby the average represen'
tativs is apt to forget the commission which
he received at the hands si the people.